Bahrain protesters look to emulate Egypt revolt

Protesters in Bahrain have held anti-government demonstrations in the capital of Manama, inspired by recent revolts in Egypt and Tunisia.

They attended the funeral of a man shot dead by police on Tuesday as he attended a rally.

Journalist Ahmed Hazim gave an eyewitness account to euronews. “There was a long cortege to witness the burial in a cemetery close to Pearl Square in the centre of Manama,” Hazim told euronews.

“Thousands of protesters are camping out there. It has been re-named Tahrir Square in homage to the square in Cairo. The people have started setting up tents and vans and are bringing in supplies of food and water.”

Bahrain’s Shia Muslims — 70 percent of the kingdom’s population — have been ruled by a Sunni minority for the past three centuries.

The Shia protesters want greater political freedoms, more jobs and a new constitution to be drafted. They complain of discrimination.

Two people died in clashes with security forces over the past two days. King Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa promised on Tuesday to hold an investigation.

Bahrain’s largest Shia opposition bloc has started a boycott in protest at the two killings.